Furor Over False Memories Puts Hynpotherapist In

From: Bicycle Bob Soetebier <bikebob@Walden.MO.NET>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 18:07:47 -0500 (CDT)
Fwd Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 21:19:02 -0400
Subject: Furor Over False Memories Puts Hynpotherapist In
On the front (page 1A) of the Sunday, June 28, 1998 issue of the
"St. Louis Post-Dispatch" there is a longish article (continued
on page 10A) entitled, "Furor over false memory outs
hypnotherapist in the spotlight." The article concerns
"hypnotherapist" Geraldine A. Lamb of Kirkwood, MO (a suburb of
St. Louis, in St. Louis County, Missouri.)
Perhaps someone who has graphics/"frames" capabilities (as a
Commodore-128 user -- with text-only, UNIX-shell ISP account
access -- I do not) could check out the article on-line via the
"Post-Dispatch" web site:
http://www.stlnet.com
Here are a couple of short excerpts from the article:
----------------------------------------------------------------
...she [the client/patient] spent four years and tens of
thousands of dollars in the bizarre world of a hypnotherapist
who talked to ancient dieties and convinced her she was the
victim of satanic abuse.
[....]
On Friday, St. Louis County Circuit Court Judge John Kintz
sentenced Lamb to 30 months in state prison, the dramatic end of
a criminal case with national significance. Lamb and two
co-defendents, psychologists who practiced in the Creve Couer
[MO] counseling center she founded, are believed to be the first
people in the nation to face criminal charges that included
allegations of implanting false memories during psychotherapy.
.... The two psychologists allowed Lamb to use their names on
fraudulent bills she submitted to insurance companies. Both
pleaded guilty to misdemeanors. They were placed on probation
and ordered to make restitution. In April, Lamb pleaded guilty
to two counts of insurance fraud and one misdemeanor count of
practicising psychology without a license. In a her plea
bargain, the felony charges that included implanting false
memories were dropped.
[....]
The judge heard how Lamb encouraged clients to seek advice from
a patient who "channeled," or communicated with an ancient
Egyptian goddess named Amon and the Blessed Virgin Mary. But he
didn't hear a single expression of regret from the 58-year old
hypnotheapist.
[....]
---------------------------------------------------------------
Bob Soetebier
St. Louis County, Missouri
Tailwinds to you... See you ON the road!
/// BICYCLE BOB /// bikebob@mo.net